2020 WaterSaver Landscape Virtual Tour

Avatar photo

Draw inspiration for your yard with these lovely landscape designs and outdoor living spaces that are drought-hardy, heat-tolerant and pollinator-friendly!

The best inspiration comes from real-life examples, especially if you want to create a landscape that’s your home-outside-of-home.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at 10 gorgeous gardens with outstanding water-saving landscapes. This year’s WaterSaver Landscape Tour will provide a virtual exploration of three Sonterra neighborhoods. The free Zoom event will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Make sure to register soon!

The Fairways


19205 Heather Forest

Brightly colored shrubs and perennials create eye-catching curb appeal, but the large screened-in backyard patio is this home’s true showpiece. Landscape beds inside the covered patio feature the same plant palette as the exterior beds, creating a seamless experience.

19214 Heather Forest

Large oak branches sweep gracefully over a front yard full of texturally intriguing plants. Just out of their reach is a unique flagstone patio built for the homeowner’s telescope and screened from neighboring lights with tall shrubs. Wind around a path to discover a delightfully private patio tucked in the side yard and another larger patio for entertaining in the backyard.

19209 Heather Creek

A lovely, curving retaining wall provides support as well as visual interest to this hilly yard. A rock riverbed draws the eye up to one of the landscape’s focal points, a garden lantern overlooking the landscape. Evergreen and succulent plants ensure beauty throughout the year.

19202 Autumn Garden

A Mediterranean-inspired home and landscape naturally fit San Antonio’s climate and vibe. The poolside covered patio creates a shady retreat to enjoy the surrounding water-saving gardens in this home’s backyard. Opposite a side patio, all senses are engaged with a cascading waterfall framed with colorful containers.

The Highlands


23106 Whisper Canyon

A layered design with native trees, shrubs and perennials preserves privacy at this hilly corner lot with strategically placed “landscape windows” allowing the homeowners to enjoy views from indoors. Smart plant selections provide summertime blooms without the extra water. Herons, deer and other wildlife are drawn to the backyard’s small pond which provides plenty of cover.

23230 Whisper Canyon

Native stone from the property was kept and used to build the retaining walls in this home’s landscape. Perched halfway up the hill is a small patio with views yet hidden by a surrounding garden from the roadside. Decorative pieces add a lively flair to this landscape.

23118 Summers Dream

Outdoor living spaces and hardscape features balance water-conscious plantings in this landscape which pops with its plant diversity. Island beds, architectural plants situated dramatically amongst limestone rocks and a small patio create focal points in the front yard while a strong retaining wall supports another in the backyard.

23138 Summers Dream

Agaves, cacti and sago palm create eye-catching designs with year-round interest. These backbone plants define the beds and are complemented with colorful perennial and annual plants, all of which can be admired from a screened outdoor patio. River rock lined beds, unusual containers with unique plantings and other decorative touches make this a fascinating garden to explore.

The Midlands


19203 Kristen Way

Originally all turf, mass plantings are now interspersed with drought-tolerant architectural plants, exemplifying the mounds and spikes design principle. This landscape lays out a welcoming buffet for wildlife with its profusion of butterfly and pollinator plants.

19207 Kristen Way

The front landscape’s formal symmetry gives way to a relaxing backyard paradise at this home. Gracious curved garden beds hug the home, curb and fences, and are filled with water-saving native and adapted plants in classic designs. Palms, cycads and bright pink bougainvillea create a tropical feel as they surround a pool with a tumbling waterfall.

Start typing and press Enter to search